Kacey Musgraves Okay With Not Being ‘Everybody’s Cup of Tea’

Country’s resident envelope-pusher, Kacey Musgraves, graces the cover of Redbook next month, where she dishes her feelings on people taking offense to her lyrics and why she writes songs about self-acceptance. For Musgraves, being popular is not the goal.

"I’ve come to the conclusion that people are always going to find a way to be offended about something, and it’s almost like they want to be. I won’t be everybody’s cup of tea. I’ve found peace in that. I’m cool with not being the biggest superstar on the planet. I don’t let people’s approval make or break what I’m doing,” she observes.

Though her lyrics may be somewhat controversial, Musgraves has been championed as an advocate for people who may feel marginalized or less-than in today’s society, particularly the LGBT community, and the artist takes that to heart.

“I think it comes from growing up in an area where a lot of kids really cannot be themselves,” she explains regarding why she writes about issues like self-acceptance. "After high school, my best friend came out to me, and he was like, ‘I don’t feel like I can be myself, and you’re the first person I’m telling.’ That is still a lot of people’s reality. So if a kid feels like they can walk a little taller because of something I sang, I’m inspired by that.”

Musgraves’ latest single, “Biscuits,” from her forthcoming album Pageant Material, is just the type of tune the songwriter has become known for — a catchy, tongue-in-cheek look at society’s ills and a not-so-subtle plea for people to keep their nose out of others’ — ahem — biscuits. The album is set to be released in late June.